Blankenship is accused of conspiring to violate mine safety laws in the years that lead up to the Upper Big Branch Explosion that killed 29 men in 2010. Representing the media outlets, Sean McGinley argued that the gag order should be lifted because it violates first amendment rights, unsealing court documents will give reporters and the public a better understanding of the proceedings.

Blankenship’s attorney supports the gag order as long as the court proceedings are scheduled to happen in the 4th District, Southern West Virginia. But Blankenship, and his attorneys, don’t want to be tried in Southern West Virginia.

During this hearing, one of Blankenship’s attorneys sited the former CEO’s long standing controversial reputation in Southern West Virginia calling him a ‘strike breaker’ in reference to his bout with the United Mine Workers of America in the 1980’s. Blankenship’s attorney went on to say they needed two months to prepare these motions and a year to prepare for the trial.

Steve Ruby with the US Attorney’s office questioned the need for more time to prepare a motion to file a transfer of venue. Judge Berger extended the deadline and asked for a written request of the specified date.

W.Va. Poet: “Appalachian Blackface” Story of 2014 Election Cycle: Have you ever heard the term ‘Affrilachian?’ It’s one poet Crystal Good uses to describe herself, an African American who grew up and lives in Appalachia. Good is a native of St. Albans, in West Virginia’s chemical valley. Good’s newest poem, “Appalachian Blackface,” premiered this fall at the Summit on Race Matters in Appalachia held in Charleston.

The Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting joined four other news outlets challenging a judge's gag order in a former West Virginia coal executive's criminal case.

The motion was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Beckley by The Associated Press, The Charleston Gazette, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio and the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.